From the architect:
BLP’s design responds to the unique heritage listed context of the original Customs House building in Circular Quay, and seamlessly integrates stately references to the building’s history with contemporary layout and styling that serves the needs of the modern flexible and adaptive worker.
Hub Customs House spans two levels and provides multiple workstation and private office options to suit the need of every individual Hub member. Shared facilities include a welcome desk, library, member lounge and kitchen, media room, boardroom and several serviced meeting rooms.
Hub Australia provides workspace and hospitality solutions designed to help Australians love where they work. One of Australia’s largest privately-owned workspace operators, Hub has 7 locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide and is home to over 3500 members.
The brief was to create home for Hub’s members and achieve a boutique hotel arrival and amenities experience that engages people and promotes collaboration.
The fitout spans two levels, providing multiple workstations and serviceable options to suit the individual member’s needs. The shared facilities provide a welcome desk, cafe, library, member lounges, members kitchen, boardroom and several fully serviced meeting rooms. The overall design both retains and appreciates the architectural character with respect to the significant heritage of Sydney’s Customs House, whilst ensuring spaces are fully activated.
The project prioritises the wellness of its members as much as it enables seamless workflows and efficiency. This is evident through the contemporary ‘relax’ spaces, gym, end of trip facilities, parents’ room and a dedicated café space to work, relax and socialise.
The user aspects of the project require variable and adaptable sized office spaces, with open areas to encourage collaboration, networking and the sharing of ideas. This creates activated environments where workers and businesses can thrive. The design of the office facade incorporates an individual ‘canopy’ partitioning detail with glazing to the front, a return glazed fin and partitions between each of the customisable spaces.
A refined base palette responds to the warmth and texture of the original sandstone walls of the building. Luxury detailing including bronze finishing and fluted glass meld with earthy wooden tones, and quality textured upholstery to create a co-working space that is calm, comfortable and up-market.
Wellbeing is at the core of this interior design project. This is evident through the contemporary designed wellness room, end of trip facilities, parents’ room and a dedicated café space to work, relax and socialise.
The design prioritized external views; enhancing external courtyard views into the building that aligned with existing external walls. By exposing as much of the ceiling height as possible, appreciating the character and volume of the heritage structure, the ‘Canopy’ provides transparency and natural light to filter through each of the spaces, enhancing the vistas coming from the north, east and westerly aspects.
The design for the Level 3 Clock Room ensures views to this room are well-maintained with an exaggerated shadow line either side to adjoining spaces. These interior details express and accentuate the inviting nature of the Clock Room.
Hub Australia is a Certified B Corporation, committed to the highest levels of accountability and transparency for environmental and social impact. Hub also currently provides 1% of membership capacity free to purpose-driven businesses.
The commitment to sustainability is woven throughout the coworking space with a conscious decision to specify Australian made loose furniture supporting local trade and by reducing the overall carbon footprint. All fixtures and fittings met the highest quality standards and thereby enhance the overall longevity of this project.
Key products used:
• Ceiling Panels by Boral
• Ceiling and Wall paint by Dulux
• Flooring by Interface
• Carpet tiles by Signature Flooring
• Carpet tiles by Ontera
• Tiles by Classic Ceramics
• Resilient flooring by Gerflor
• Vinyl flooring by Forbo
• Joinery finish by Laminex
• Timber Veneer by Elton Group
• Reconstituted stone by Smart Stone
• Reconstituted stone by Caesarstone
• Brass trims by Astor Metal
